The Run Smarter Podcast

Learn more about Brodie's Research Database & AI Assistant 📄🔍

For MORE Run Smarter Resources 🏃‍♂️📚
- Including Free Injury Prevention Courses 🩹🎓
- The Run Smarter Book 📖
- Access to Research Papers 📄🔍
- & Ways to Work with Brodie 🤝👟
👉 CLICK HERE! 🎉✨

In this episode, Brodie breaks down a brand-new 2026 systematic review investigating whether collagen supplementation truly improves tendon health, recovery, and performance. With conflicting advice from experts and unclear evidence in the past, this paper helps clarify what actually works—and more importantly, how to apply it to your training.

Paper: Collagen Supplementation on Tendon-Related Structural and Performance Outcomes: A Systematic Review 

Key Takeaways

•  Collagen can improve tendon structure and stiffness—but only when combined with proper strength training 
• Dosage matters: 15–30g appears more effective than lower doses 
• Timing matters: ~60 minutes before training aligns with peak amino acid availability 
• Vitamin C enhances the process, helping collagen synthesis and cross-linking 
•  Collagen does NOT improve muscle strength beyond what training alone achieves

Bottom line: collagen seems tendon-specific, not a general performance enhancer

Training Requirements

•  Must include structured resistance training
•  Target 70–90% of 1RM (heavy loading)
•  Tendons need a strong mechanical stimulus to adapt

Collagen without loading = minimal benefit

Final Thoughts

This paper helps move us from confusion to clarity.

Collagen isn’t a magic fix—but when used strategically alongside heavy strength training, it may:

•  Improve tendon structure 
•  Increase stiffness 
•  Enhance long-term resilience 

In other words, it’s a potential amplifier—not a replacement—for good rehab and training principles.